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    Northern OntarioFMZ 11

    La Vase River – Lake Nipissing

    La Vase River public boat launch, North Bay, ON

    Marker
    Leaflet © OpenStreetMap
    Seasonal availabilityDirections Official FMZ 11 rules

    About this water

    A quieter Lake Nipissing access point on the north shore where spring drift-fishing for walleye is especially productive.

    Sandy flats with rocky outcrops and scattered weed beds near the river mouth on the north shore of Lake Nipissing. Shallow and wind-affected. FMZ 11.

    WalleyeYellow PerchSmallmouth BassNorthern Pike

    FMZ 11 regulations — North Bay & Temagami

    The smallest of the northern Ontario zones, in northeast Ontario. The Ottawa River and Lake Temiskaming (FMZ 12) form its eastern border, and its southern border follows the Pickerel River, Highway 522 and the northern boundary of Algonquin Park.

    • Walleye (Nipissing): 3rd Sat in May – March 15; special slot – release 40–46 cm, S-2/C-1.
    • Muskie: fourth Saturday in June to Dec 15; 137 cm min, S-1/C-0.
    • Lake trout: Jan 1 – Sept 30 on many waters; S-2/C-1.

    Zone check: FMZ 11 confirmed from this water's coordinates against the official Ontario zone boundaries (reviewed 2026-08-12).

    Summary only — always confirm current seasons and limits on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 11 page before your trip.

    Seasonal availability

    Open-season windows for the species found at La Vase River – Lake Nipissing, taken from the FMZ 11 regulation summary. Green months are within a published open season — they are not a prediction of how well fish will bite.

    Best months to plan a tripany listed species open
    Walleye (Nipissing)3rd Sat in May – March 15
    • special slot – release 40–46 cm, S-2/C-1.

    No FMZ 11 season line published in our summary for: Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike. Check the official page before keeping these species.

    Summary only, and seasons change annually. Confirm dates on the Ontario MNRF FMZ 11 page before your trip.

    Fishing tips

    • Lake Nipissing walleye slot is stricter than most FMZs — memorize it.
    • Temagami-area lake trout drop deep by late June; long-line and downrig.
    • Drift the flats off the river mouth in spring with a 1/8 oz jig and minnow. Nipissing walleye are under a slot size limit — check the current regulations before keeping fish.
    • Access: Free public lot at the launch with trailer parking.

    Solunar Calendar— La Vase River – Lake Nipissing

    🌔

    Waxing Gibbous

    93% illuminated · Age 12.2d

    Solunar rating93/100

    🌔 Tue, Aug 25

    93% · Rating 93
    minor8:42 PM – 9:42 PM
    major2:12 AM – 4:12 AM
    minor8:42 AM – 9:42 AM
    major2:12 PM – 4:12 PM

    🌔 Wed, Aug 26

    97% · Rating 98
    minor9:27 PM – 10:27 PM
    major2:57 AM – 4:57 AM
    minor9:27 AM – 10:27 AM
    major2:57 PM – 4:57 PM

    🌕 Thu, Aug 27

    100% · Rating 100
    minor10:10 PM – 11:10 PM
    major3:40 AM – 5:40 AM
    minor10:10 AM – 11:10 AM
    major3:40 PM – 5:40 PM

    Major windows (~2 h) cluster around moon transit and antitransit; minor windows (~1 h) around moonrise and moonset. Local approximations — verify against a printed almanac for planning.

    Gear setup

    Setup:
    Medium spinning for walleye and perch
    Rod:
    6'6"–7' medium spinning rod
    Reel:
    Size 2500 spinning reel
    Line:
    10 lb braid with 8 lb fluorocarbon leader
    Best bait:
    Minnows, Leeches, Worms
    Best lures:
    Jig & minnow, Worm harness, Blade bait
    Directions

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